Tiscali: what are the pros and cons?

A_fiend_for_life

I am currently using BT Option 2 and Virgin Broadband Package 2 (£17.99). Average costs per month are £40.:mad: But I've no one but my self to blame:lipsrseal

:idea: I have seen the Tiscali offer for £15 per month - broadband and phone.

How good is Tiscali? Any catches other than the £30 sign up? Any promotions on the sign up offer?:p

Any alternatives?

Any views both positive and negative welcome.

PS I don't have a TV so media packages won't be relevant.

A_fiend_for_life

:eek: I'll try not to let anything go wrong.

How long have you been with them?

peachyprice

They are absolutely sh1te! We were with them for a fair few years, things started well, but they went down hill rapidly. Their customer services is non-existant, their billing is terrible, we were cut off, even though we had paid the bill, then compensated for the inconvenience, which they then tried to take back by adding it to our bill a few months later. My OH was sworn at, shouted at, lied to and hung up on. We were going to sign up to their TV too, thank goodness we didn't.

We cancelled our account, went back to BT for line rental and o2 BB, I'd rather pay a bit more and get treated like a valued customer that put through the [EMAIL="!!!!"]!!!![/EMAIL] we got from Tiscali.

But hey, they're cheap!

chippy2u

There are no pros only cons. I once heard a farmer saying he was going to get his cows 'serviced'. When I asked him what that meant, he explained in detail. I suddenly realised that's what Tiscali Customer 'Services' has been doing to their customers for years!!!

syko29793

I would avoid Tiscali at the moment. those with them a lo.
and talk talk are lookin to nuy thrm . happy days ahead ng time seem ok its new customers that seem to suffer.

Nigella_2

Tiscali are great VFM (BB Max, A/T Calls, Free LR) for £20.00 BUT their customer service is a bit hit n miss. Also having so many contact numbers which you have to pay to ring, non fully English speaking agents and confusing information.
The connection is reliable and speedy.

Bufflowbill

Tiscali is one of the most complained about ISP,s in the UK because amongst other things they provide substandard broadband connections,mess up phone line transfers from BT, and offer terrible levels of customer service. If you want opinions on Tiscali see:

ISP ratings and scroll down to 25.

Also see:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=418590

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1084637

STUARTCATTY

I stay in the highlands so broadband cost a bit more so i changed from aol to tiscali on 15 sep and since then its been hell im sorry to say problem like no tiscali welcome pack eg modem etc 48 mins talking and repeating several times over with a lad called harriah halfal from technical support getting cut off from technial support finding out they cancel my order for no reason checked with billing they had put me on wrong taraff looking to cancel the lot and send smoke signals in future

A_fiend_for_life

Hi thanks for all your responses it is invaluable - the lack of overall positive responses is telling. I certainly don't like the sound of customer service.

Looks like a negotiation on the virgin price then. That should bring me down from £40 to £30 hopefully. I know I can't afford the £18 at the moment and a ~ £23 saving would be good for clearing my unauthorised overdraft thats getting nasty.

Reliability is key as I am relying on internet access for job hunting.

On the off chance anyone know of any good stand alone deals on a landline? Sub £20 per month preferably with free weekend / evening though not essential.

I might just check the phones forum. I've got a couple of weeks to decide as the phone bills due and I can't afford a set up fee at the moment with the other bills.

Bufflowbill

A_fiend_for_life wrote: »

On the off chance anyone know of any good stand alone deals on a landline? Sub £20 per month preferably with free weekend / evening though not essential.

See: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=1598074&postcount=4

A_fiend_for_life

thanks Bufflowbill

hmm bit baffled by my billing then I was on option 2 now called 'evening and weekend plan' but paying £36-89 'rental charges' per quarter plus the £4-50 because I can't do direct debits - doesn't seem to relate to what they are saying on their compare packages page. I work it out as £31-50 plus £4-50.


This is nasty too in the 'unlimited evening and weekend plan'

Quote
At the end of each 12 month minimum period the contract will be automatically renewed for a further 12 month minimum period unless you tell us otherwise
Unquote

http://www.productsandservices.bt.com/consumerProducts/displayCategory.do?categoryId=CON-TOG-OPT-R1